Here’s the latest on the COVID-19 outbreak and the federal and local response here in North Carolina:
North Carolina has moved into Phase 2 of its re-opening plan, effective 5 p.m. last Friday. Phase 2 is expected to run through at least June 26th, unless changed or cancelled. Below is a helpful chart that explains what Phase 2 means for different types of facilities:
Starting today, farmers and producers impacted by the coronavirus crisis can apply for direct financial relief through the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The application can be found here and will also be available on this website.
For more information about the program and how it’s meant to provide assistance to producers who have seen financial losses because of the pandemic, view this guide.
Here are the latest numbers from the Small Business Administration on the Paycheck Protection Program as of this past Saturday:
More than 5,500 lenders have issued more than 4.426 million loans to small businesses across the country.
The program has approved more than $511 billion in loans nationwide.
Here in North Carolina, more than 111,500 businesses have received more than $12.244 billion in loans to help them stay afloat.
The U.S Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development office has announced a $4 million investment in distance learning and telemedicine projects in North Carolina, including funding for Johnston County Public Schools. These funds will help Johnston schools adapt to greater distance learning needs as we cope with the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Department of Health and Human Services announced that it has begun disbursing nearly $4.9 billion in funding to nursing homes impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. This funding, approved by Congress as part of the CARES Act, will help nursing homes address labor needs, scale up testing capacity, acquire additional supplies of personal protective equipment, and cover other expenses linked to the pandemic.
In a new video, the FDA explains how one way you can make a difference and help others during the crisis is to donate blood or plasma:
The FDA and the USDA have also released a series of recommendations to help address the shortage of personal protective equipment in the agriculture and food industries during the crisis. The recommendations call for the prioritization of supplies, first to the healthcare, public health and emergency services sectors, and then to the food and agriculture sector along with other critical infrastructure. The recommendations provide information on potential sourcing of supplies, including through private sector suppliers and state emergency management agencies.
For today’s good news story, I’m highlighting the members of the Whiteville Fire Department, who showed up as “honorary dads” to support a graduating high school senior who lost her father in a motorcycle accident earlier this month. It’s just one of the countless ways our first responders are stepping up to support our communities and those in need during the crisis.
